NETT 2008 focuses on 'Technology for Tomorrow'

HAMMOND –“Technology for Tomorrow” is the theme of the fifth annual Northshore Excellence in Teaching with Technology (NETT) conference, scheduled July 17-18 at locations in Tangipahoa, Livingston, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines parishes.

Sponsored by Southeastern Louisiana University and Delgado Community College in conjunction with area school boards, the award-winning technology conference is designed to advance the skills of educators and encourage the use of emerging technologies in education, businesses and communities throughout the region, said NETT Conference Co-Chair Stella Helluin, director of Southeastern’s St. Tammany Center.

“Technological advances, a global economy, and shifting demographics are significantly impacting students’ learning, future workforce skills and communities in general,” Helluin said. “Locally, we are experiencing record growth and economic development along the I-10 and I-12 corridors. The mission of the NETT Conference is to make sure today’s students are prepared for tomorrow’s world.

“The NETT conference is open to anyone in education, training, business technology support or any individual wanting to learn more about technology,” Helluin said. The two-day conference begins on July 17 with full and half-day hands-on workshops focusing on skill building at multiple locations on the north and south shores. It continues on July 18 with sessions at Southeastern in Hammond on the use of Web 2.0 and emerging technologies.

The conference has tracks for pre-kindergarten through high school teachers, higher education faculty, organizations, business and individuals.

Registration is underway online at www.nettconference.org, where participants will find complete information on session topics, speakers, workshops and locations.

Those who register by May 25 will receive a special gift. The conference is $100 for the full conference or $60 for July 18 only.

"The scope of the NETT conference has been expanded in 2008 to include a focus on technology being used not just in education, but also in business and in our personal lives, Helluin said. The geographic scope is also increasing to include more venues for our July 17 workshops, as well as participation from residents in southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

For July 17, participants can register for the full day or two half-day workshops. The workshops will be presented at various schools and businesses on the north and south shores on technology topics such as Promethean, SMART, Podcasting, 2007 Office, digital cameras, movie editing, Internet safety, webcams, digital microscopes, Adobe, and forensic technology.

The second day of the conference, July18, held at Southeastern’s main campus in Hammond, will feature 50-minute concurrent sessions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Door prizes will be given away through the day. Topics for July 18 sessions include global learning, emerging technologies, social media, online resources, mobile technologies, and multi-media.